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Smartphone Nation: Amber Mac On The Effects Of Mobile Tech On Users [VIDEO]

Today, almost every one of us has a cell phone or a smartphone. While these miniature personal computer systems offer a great deal of benefits, they also cause significant changes to our behaviour and the way we interact with people and with technology. "In some ways I would argue that maybe we don't have what might be a normal relationship with this technology," digital media speaker Amber Mac says in a recent keynote about mobile tech. "We probably spend more time with these devices that we spend with our own families." The audience shared this sentiment, raising their hands and nodding in agreement when Amber asked if they felt the same way. Further, she goes on to say that 75 per cent of students surveyed in a study at Stanford admitted to falling asleep with their iPhones. This reiterates the intimate relationship with have with our mobile devices.

This isn't to say that Amber, a consultant, TV host, and bestselling author, thinks that mobile devices are all bad. In fact—she believes the opposite. One of the most powerful mobile tools, she explains in the presentation, is the tablet. She shares a story about the way her young son was able to intuitively use her own tablet, despite the fact that he wasn't even old enough to talk. She also describes the way that his mind understood the use of other technology after playing with an iPadm, as he instinctively tried to operate other devices using a touchscreen approach even when it did not have a touchscreen. The more engrained in our lives these devices become, the more we can see our behaviours change as we use them.

The key, she explains in her keynotes and consulting sessions, is being able to adapt to new technological developments, and focus on their ability to improve our lives without becoming obsessed with our devices. She helps companies stay on the cutting edge of the digital and social media space and become more technologically fluent, to ensure they stay one step ahead of the competition.